Edison and Ford Winter Estates May 2022
Guest Contributor Edition - Dee Rietz
A family vacation to Florida found us with a day of adventure in nearby Fort Myers. My husband and I took the opportunity to tour the Winter Estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford located on the Caloosahatchee River.
Edison purchased the Southwest Florida property to build a vacation home for a family winter retreat as well as a place to entertain friends. His home dubbed “Seminole Lodge” was completed in 1886. Edison enjoyed the area so much, he was able to convince his good friend, Henry Ford to purchase and build a home on the adjacent property in 1911.
Edison Family Home "Seminole Lodge"
Ford Home and Guest House
Thomas Edison was never one to be far from his ‘work’ and projects. He became interested in botanicals and species of plants that would be useful for industrial purposes. During the period of World War I, he became concerned with the reliance on foreign suppliers of rubber. He collaborated with another good friend, Harvey Firestone, as well as Ford to try to find a rubber tree that would grow quickly to supply a domestic source of rubber for tires. Their research labs as well as plantings and trees that have survived over the years are located in the 21-acre museum grounds.
We enjoyed a leisurely self-guided tour (there are also Guide-led tours) through the beautifully restored homes, guesthouses and caretaker’s cottage. Edison had one of the first residential swimming pools added to the estate in 1910. There are also exhibits of photographs from the era as well as inventions, historical features, and of course Ford automobiles.
These men were international celebrities and their guest lists reflect their notoriety. Such notables as John Burroughs (American Naturalist), Herbert Hoover, The Kellogg families among others. I am sure laughter and good times were had by everyone while enjoying the lake and amenities. Madeleine Edison (their only daughter) had a keen sense of humor and was known to be quite entertaining. She posted a listing of rules for guests that included a couple of notables:
- Don’t fail to retire to your room during part of each day—so that the family may squabble without embarrassment.
- Don’t capsize the sailboat if you can help it. Remember there isn’t any man to rescue you in 750 miles. And besides, there are the sharks.
- If you don’t think Seminole Lodge is the loveliest spot you ever wore your rubbers in-don’t let on to Father!
